10 + 1 Lessons I Learned the Hard Way

When I moved my blog from Blogger to WordPress last summer I mistakenly assumed that all posts would seamlessly transfer. I have since found the error in my thinking and have decided to re-post some of my more discussed posts. This post first appeared in October of 2011 but still rings true to me, in fact, I think this list could be much longer now so I have updated the post a little.

image from etsy

Sometimes life smacks you in the face and makes you change your ways for the better. Fortunately in education, this happens quite a bit, unfortunately it is not always in the most pleasant way. I present a list of my lessons I learned the hard way.

You may be really excited about something but that does not mean anyone else will be. I joined Twitter more than 3 years ago and I have yet to convince anyone close to me of its value. It is not that they don’t want to understand, they do, but they just don’t have the time or see the need to join. I remain undeterred in my plug for Twitter but at the same time also realize that perhaps they just don’t want to join, and I am ok with that. I then just find other ways to share all of the amazing things I learn via Twitter.

When you make a lot of changes, not everyone will think they are great. I have changed many things in my classroom and while I see all of the amazing benefits, not everyone does. I have many critics and my skin has grown a lot thicker, and yet, ouch.

Not everyone wants to hear your opinion, even if you think it s a good one. Enough said.

Not all parents want less homework. I thought every parent would stand up and cheer at my decision to nearly eliminate homework, but no, some want a lot of homework for their children for various reasons. I now encourage open dialogue on it and help out where I can.

Lecturing does not engage – and neither does raising your voice and scolding the kids when they tune out. I figured this one out after 2 years of teaching with glazed over eyes and less than enthusiastic students. Now I look back at those two first years and shudder.

Rewards diminish the learning. I used to be a rewards fanatic but realized that kids focused more on which sticker they got then the feedback I gave them. I also created a class divide in my room with the have’s and the have not’s. If only I could tell all of those kids that I am sorry for what I did.

When you think everything is going great, you are about to crash. I don’t know how many times I have been on a teaching high only to crash and burn wickedly. Life changes quickly, so enjoy the “high” while you can.

Putting your thoughts on a blog means many people know how you feel. Some will cheer, some will challenge, and some will just downright criticize. Either way, you have to take the good with the bad; it is all part of developing your voice.

Even the best classroom can have a bad day. I used to beat myself up wondering what went wrong when the day fell apart. Then I realized that sometimes there is just nothing to do it about it that day, what matters is that you start over the next day.

I am not always right, even if I really, really want to be. I have some pretty strong opinions and fortunately for me, sometimes they change. That means I have had to apologize to people, publicly state the change and eat crow in a number of ways. This is a not a bad thing, but a human thing.

I am not the only teacher in the room. I thought I was the ultimate authority on everything in my room, and loved to share my vast knowledge with those empty vessels that were my kids. What a rude awakening when I realized that my students are not blank slates. Now I remind myself daily to step aside and let them explore and teach each other and me.

I was just feeling frustrated today that I have only been able to persuade two people to get on Twitter this school year, but you are right….other ways to share! Great post;one that I needed today. Cheering!!!

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Disclaimer

Of course these opinions, musings, rants and reflections do not express the opinion of my employer. One would be crazy to think that one single teacher could be the mouth piece for an entire district. Nor are my posts meant to offend mostly, nor mislead but rather provide a snapshot of my mind at a certain point in time on a topic.
So please feel free to disagree, agree, compliment or discourage further blogging but promise to not think this is in any way an official mode of communication for my employer. These are my opinions and while I stand behind them right now they may change so while you are at it, don't hold that against me either.

Pernille Ripp is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.